U.S. patent application number 11/738310 was filed with the patent office on 2008-10-23 for packaging for a portable consumer device.
Invention is credited to Chris Britt, Karen Hyun, Erin Pursell, Carrie Vriheas.
Application Number | 20080257966 11/738310 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 39871232 |
Filed Date | 2008-10-23 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080257966 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Britt; Chris ; et
al. |
October 23, 2008 |
PACKAGING FOR A PORTABLE CONSUMER DEVICE
Abstract
A portable consumer device having an information bearing region
is packaged with an anti-tampering member. The region includes
information pertaining to an account associated with a payment
processing system. With a permanent alteration of the
anti-tampering member so as to make the region accessible, a
merchant's point of service terminal can interact with the region
so as to change a state of the account.
Inventors: |
Britt; Chris; (San
Francisco, CA) ; Pursell; Erin; (San Francisco,
CA) ; Vriheas; Carrie; (San Francisco, CA) ;
Hyun; Karen; (San Mateo, CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Quarles & Brady LLP
TWO NORTH CENTRAL AVENUE, One Renaissance Square
PHOENIX
AZ
85004-2391
US
|
Family ID: |
39871232 |
Appl. No.: |
11/738310 |
Filed: |
April 20, 2007 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
235/492 ;
705/17 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G06K 19/07726 20130101;
G06K 19/077 20130101; G06Q 20/204 20130101; G06K 19/005
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
235/492 ;
705/17 |
International
Class: |
G06K 19/067 20060101
G06K019/067 |
Claims
1. A portable consumer device comprising: a substrate having an
information bearing region pertaining to a payment processing
system; and a cover for the information bearing region, wherein:
the cover has a breakable anti-tampering member; when the
anti-tampering member is unbroken, the cover substantially prevents
interaction of the information bearing region with a point of
service terminal; when the anti-tampering member is broken, the
breaking of the anti-tampering member: permits interaction of the
information bearing region with the point of service terminal; and
substantially permanently alters the cover.
2. The portable consumer device as defined in claim 1, wherein the
cover includes: a portion that is not frangible; and the
anti-tampering member which is frangible.
3. The portable consumer device as defined in claim 2, wherein the
anti-tampering member is selected from the group consisting of a
string connection joining multiple pieces of the cover, a
perforation, a material removable from the substrate by manual
abrasion, and combinations thereof.
4. The portable consumer device as defined in claim 1, wherein a
complete breakage of the anti-tampering member separates the cover
into multiple unconnected pieces.
5. The portable consumer device as defined in claim 1, wherein the
anti-tampering member comprises a perforation substantially
extending fully across the cover.
6. The portable consumer device as defined in claim 1, wherein the
substrate is selected from the group consisting of a payment card,
a transponder, a gift card, a payroll card, a health care card, a
wrist band, a keychain device, a security card, a non-reloadable
card, a reloadable card, an access card, a smartcard, and a smart
media card.
7. The portable consumer device as defined in claim 1, wherein the
substrate is selected from the group consisting of a cellular
phone, personal digital assistant, a pager, and a wireless
terminal.
8. The portable consumer device as defined in claim 1, wherein the
substrate comprises at least one of a volatile memory to store
information for the information bearing region and a non-volatile
memory to store information for the information bearing region.
9. The portable consumer device as defined in claim 1, wherein the
information bearing region comprises a machine-readable region.
10. The portable consumer device as defined in claim 1, wherein the
information bearing region comprises a magnetic stripe.
11. The portable consumer device as defined in claim 1, wherein the
information bearing region comprises a device for receiving,
transmitting, or transreceiving a radio frequency.
12. The portable consumer device as defined in claim 1, wherein the
information bearing region comprise means for communicating with
the point of service terminal electrically, magnetically, or
optically.
13. The portable consumer device as defined in claim 1, wherein
information stored by the information bearing region is selected
from the group consisting of an account number of the payment
processing system, an account holder's name, an activation state,
an expiration date, a verification code, a value associated with an
account of the payment processing system, and combinations of the
forgoing.
14. The portable consumer device as defined in claim 1, wherein the
payment processing system comprises an entity selected from the
group consisting of an issuer, an acquirer, a transaction handler,
a merchant, a user, and combinations thereof.
15. The portable consumer device as defined in claim 1, wherein the
cover comprises an opaque material.
16. The portable consumer device as defined in claim 1, wherein the
cover comprises packaging for the substrate.
17. The portable consumer device as defined in claim 1, wherein the
cover comprises radio frequency signal shielding.
18. The portable consumer device as defined in claim 1, further
comprising means for holding a portion of the cover in contact with
a portion of the substrate, wherein the holding means is selected
from a group consisting of a hinge, an adhesive, a rivet, a tack,
and combinations thereof.
19. A portable consumer device comprising: a payment card having an
information bearing region pertaining to a payment processing
system; and a cover having a perforation and enclosing the payment
card, wherein: when the perforation is unbroken, the cover
substantially prevents interaction of the information bearing
region with a point of service terminal for the payment processing
system; and when the perforation is broken the cover substantially
permits interaction of the information bearing region with the
point of service terminal for the payment processing system.
20. The portable consumer device as defined in claim 19, wherein
the payment card is selected from the group consisting of a
transponder, a gift card, a prepaid card, a payroll card, a health
care card, a wrist band, a keychain device, a security card, a
non-reloadable card, a reloadable card, an access card, a
smartcard, and a smart media card.
21. The portable consumer device as defined in claim 19, wherein
when the perforation is broken, the broken perforation
substantially permanently alters the cover.
22. The portable consumer device as defined in claim 19, wherein a
substantially complete breakage of the perforation separates the
cover into multiple unconnected pieces.
23. A portable consumer device comprising: a payment card having an
information bearing region pertaining to a payment processing
system; a cover for the information bearing region; a hinge holding
a portion of the cover in contact with a portion of the payment
card; and an anti-tampering member that is broken by pivoting the
cover about the hinge, wherein: when the anti-tampering member is
unbroken, the cover substantially prevents interaction of the
information bearing region with a point of service terminal for the
payment processing system; and when the anti-tampering member is
broken, pivoting the cover substantially permits interaction of the
information bearing region with the point of service terminal for
the payment processing system.
24. A portable consumer device as defined in claim 23, wherein the
anti-tampering member is permanently altered by pivoting the cover
about the hinge relative to the payment card.
25. A method comprising: breaking an anti-tampering member of a
cover substantially covering an information bearing region of a
portable consumer device, the information bearing region bearing
information that includes an account associated with a payment
processing system; and interacting the information bearing region
with a point of service terminal in communication with the payment
processing system, wherein: when the anti-tampering member is
unbroken, the cover substantially prevents interaction of the
information bearing region with the point of service terminal; and
when the anti-tampering member is broken, the cover substantially
permits interaction of the information bearing region with the
point of service terminal.
26. The method as defined in claim 25, wherein breaking the
anti-tampering member includes a step selected from the group
consisting of breaking a perforation at a perforated edge, pulling
a string to open the cover at a seam therein that is closed by the
string, and rotating the cover about a hinge that holds a portion
of the cover in contact with a portion of the portable consumer
device.
27. The method as defined in claim 25, wherein breaking of the
anti-tampering member includes separating the cover into multiple
unconnected pieces.
28. The method as defined in claim 25, further comprising pivoting
the cover about a hinge relative to the portable consumer device,
wherein the hinge holds a portion of the cover in contact with a
portion of the portable consumer device.
29. The method as defined in claim 25, further comprising forming a
transmission to the payment processing system, the transmission
including information obtained from the interaction of the point of
service terminal with the information bearing region of the
portable consumer device.
30. The method as defined in claim 25, further comprising: sending
a transaction authorization request, using the point of service
terminal, to an issuer of the portable consumer device for
subsequent authorization or non-authorization by the issuer of the
transaction authorization request; receiving, at the point of
service terminal, an indication that the transaction authorization
request has been approved or not approved; and changing, after
receipt of the indication that the transaction authorization
request has been approved, a state of the account selected from the
group consisting of: activating the account, deactivating the
account loading the account with a value, reloading the account
with a value, transitioning a value associated with the account,
decreasing a value associated with the account, increasing a value
associated with the account, transferring a value associated with
the account; and combinations of the foregoing.
31. The method as defined in claim 30, further comprising receiving
a transaction history of the portable consumer device from the
payment processing system, the transaction history including at
least one of: an indication of the change in state of the account,
an indication of activation of the account, a value change that
occurred with the change in state of the account, the date of the
change in state of the account, the location where the change in
state of the account was instigated, and an indication of fraud
associated with the account.
32. A method comprising: breaking a perforation on packaging
enclosing a payment card having an information bearing region
pertaining to a payment processing system; and interacting the
region of the payment card with a point of service terminal that is
in communication with the payment processing system, wherein: the
breaking of the perforation substantially permits interaction of
the information bearing region with a point of service terminal for
the payment processing system; and the unbroken perforation
substantially prevents interaction of the information bearing
region with the point of service terminal for the payment
processing system.
33. The method as defined in claim 32, wherein: interacting the
region of the payment card with the point of service terminal
includes swiping a magnetic stripe of the portable consumer device
at the point of service terminal; and the magnetic stripe is
located at the information bearing region.
34. A method comprising: breaking an anti-tampering member of a
cover substantially covering an information bearing region of a
portable consumer device, by pivoting a cover relative to a payment
card about a hinge that holds a portion of the cover in contact
with a portion of the payment card, the information bearing region
bearing information that includes an account associated with a
payment processing system; and interacting the information bearing
region of the payment card with the point of service terminal,
wherein the point of service terminal is in communication with the
payment processing system and wherein: when the anti-tampering
member is unbroken, the covering substantially prevents interaction
of the information bearing region with the point of service
terminal; and when the anti-tampering member is broken, the pivoted
covering substantially permits interaction of the information
bearing region with the point of service terminal.
35. A merchant checkout comprising: a point of service terminal in
communication with a payment processing system; and a rack
displaying a plurality of portable consumer devices, each portable
consumer device having: a substrate having an information bearing
region pertaining to a payment processing system; an anti-tampering
member; and a cover substantially covering the region, wherein:
when the anti-tampering member is unbroken, the cover substantially
prevents interaction of the information bearing region with a point
of service terminal; when the anti-tampering member is broken, the
breaking of the anti-tampering member permits interaction of the
information bearing region with the point of service terminal.
36. The merchant checkout as defined in claim 35, wherein the point
of service terminal forms a transmission to the payment processing
system, the transmission including information obtained from the
interaction of the point of service terminal with the region of the
portable consumer device.
37. The merchant checkout as defined in claim 35, further
comprising a consumer passage way joining the rack to the point of
service terminal, wherein the consumer passage way is used to
transport the consumer device from the rack to the point of service
terminal.
Description
BACKGROUND
[0001] Portable consumer devices, such as prepaid cards, have
gained acceptance in the transaction industry and increased usage
amongst consumers. They provide a convenient method for conducting
transactions and transferring funds.
[0002] The growth of the portable consumer devices as a payment
category has resulted in part to their widespread availability in
retail stores, convenience stores, self-service terminals, and
supermarkets. Some portable consumer devices are merchant specific
wherein they cannot be activated, loaded, reloaded or used in
stores other than the merchant's store, such as the Starbucks.TM.
card; other types of merchant specific cards, such as a Barns and
Nobles.RTM. gift card, can be loaded through a third party, such as
a supermarket with an agreement with Barns and Nobles.RTM., but the
card can still only be used at the merchant's store. Yet other
types of portable consumer devices, such as a debit gift card, have
a broader range of usage, being accepted by most merchant stores
that accept ordinary credit or debit cards; however, they can only
be loaded at merchant stores specifically set up for loading of
that particular portable consumer device.
[0003] Currently, a portable consumer device is often loaded based
on information, such as bar code information, on a package. Bar
code loading of the portable consumer device may result in extra
processing steps in order for the portable consumer device
information to enter a transaction payment processing system, such
as a credit or debit card company's payment processing system. For
example, after specifically setting up for loading of a portable
consumer device, a merchant store may have to use a third party to
associates the bar code information to the portable consumer device
and send the information to a transaction processing system.
Current methods, systems, and apparatus for loading of portable
consumer devices may cause error and delay in the activation of the
portable consumer device and may not carry with them the
convenience of a transaction processing system, such as a payment
processing system, that may have standardized methods and
rules.
[0004] Moreover, fraud issues hinder the development of methods,
systems and apparatus for loading of a portable consumer device
loading based on account information, such as when the portable
consumer device is loaded based on information on the packaging.
For example, an issuer of a portable consumer device may scan a bar
code on the packaging to activate the portable consumer device
within the packaging. However, prior to the scanning of the bar
code on the package, a thief may have opened the packaging of the
portable consumer device, replaced the original portable consumer
device with a substitute item, and waited for the merchant to scan
the package containing the substitute item thereby activating the
original portable consumer device in the possession of the thief.
Thereafter, the thief can deplete the stored value on the original
portable consumer device.
[0005] It would be desirable to provide methods, systems, and
apparatuses that facilitate safely changing the state of a portable
consumer device.
SUMMARY
[0006] The present invention includes apparatuses, methods, and
systems for a portable consumer device having an anti-tampering
member. In one implementation, the apparatus includes a substrate,
such as a payment card, having an information bearing region
pertaining to a payment processing system, such as a magnetic
stripe and a cover that has a breakable anti-tampering member. When
the anti-tampering member is unbroken, the cover covers the region
and substantially prevents interaction of the region with a point
of service terminal, such as a magnetic stripe reader. When the
anti-tampering member is broken, however, the region can be exposed
permitting interaction of the region with the point of service
terminal. Moreover, the breaking of the anti-tampering member
substantially, permanently alters the cover, making tampering with
the portable consumer device detectable. The anti-tampering member
may be a perforation on the cover that a merchant can break during
checkout.
[0007] In one implementation, the method includes breaking an
anti-tampering member of a cover substantially covering a portable
consumer device, the portable consumer device having an information
bearing region pertaining to an account associated with a payment
processing system and interacting the region with the point of
service terminal that is in communication with the payment
processing system. The method may also include forming a
transmission to the payment processing system, the transmission
including information obtained from the interaction of the point of
service terminal with the region and changing a state of the
account.
[0008] In one implementation, the system includes a merchant
checkout including a rack displaying a plurality of portable
consumer devices and a point of service terminal that is in
communication with a payment processing system. Each of the
portable consumer devices includes a substrate having an
information bearing region pertaining to a payment processing
system, an anti-tampering member, and a cover substantially
covering the region. When the anti-tampering member is unbroken,
the cover substantially prevents interaction of the information
bearing region with a point of service terminal; when the
anti-tampering member is broken, the breaking of the anti-tampering
member permits interaction of the information bearing region with
the point of service terminal. The merchant checkout may also have
a user passage way, such as a consumer passage way, joining the
rack to the point of service terminal, wherein the consumer passage
way is used to transport the consumer device from the rack to the
point of service terminal.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0009] Additional aspects of the present invention will become
evident upon reviewing the non-limiting embodiments described in
the specification, the appendices and the claims taken in
conjunction with the accompanying figures, wherein like numerals
designate like elements.
[0010] FIG. 1 is a block level diagram illustrating an exemplary
payment processing system;
[0011] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an exemplary portable
consumer device having packaging that includes an anti-tampering
member, where the portable consumer device has utility in the
system illustrated in FIG. 1;
[0012] FIG. 3 is a front elevational exploded view of the portable
consumer device of FIG. 2, the exploded view showing an exposed
region of a payment card;
[0013] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an exemplary portable
consumer device having packaging that includes an anti-tampering
member, where the portable consumer device has utility in the
system illustrated in FIG. 1;
[0014] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an exemplary portable
consumer device having packaging that includes an anti-tampering
member, where the portable consumer device has utility in the
system illustrated in FIG. 1;
[0015] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of an exemplary portable
consumer device having packaging in a closed position thereof that
includes an anti-tampering member, where the portable consumer
device has utility in the system illustrated in FIG. 1;
[0016] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the portable consumer device
seen in FIG. 6 having packaging in an open position after an
alteration of the anti-tampering member, where the anti-tampering
member has been alternated to show an exposed region of a payment
card seen in phantom, and where the payment card has utility in the
system illustrated in FIG. 1;
[0017] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of an exemplary portable
consumer device having packaging that includes an anti-tampering
member and a payment card seen in phantom, where the anti-tampering
member is shown in an altered condition, where the payment card
seen in phantom has been rotated outside of the packaging, and
where the payment card has utility in the system illustrated in
FIG. 1; and
[0018] FIG. 9 is a flow chart illustrating an exemplary process for
using, within the system illustrated in FIG. 1, a portable consumer
device having an anti-tampering member.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0019] In one implementation, a portable consumer device has a
cover with an anti-tampering member that may be frangible. After
breaking the cover's anti-tampering member a merchant may change
the state of an account associated with the portable consumer
device. The state of the account associated with the portable
consumer device can be changed through actions including:
activation, deactivation, and transformation of value of the
account associated with the portable consumer device such as an
increase or decrease of value that may occur through loading,
reloading, or transferring of value.
[0020] A transaction involves the exchange of a unit of value. For
example, a transaction can involve purchasing goods or services,
the redemption of loyalty incentives, or the transfer of
information associated with a purchase of a good or service. The
unit of value of the account associated with a portable consumer
device may include: a dollar value, a point value, a game value
such as a lottery number, a ticket value such as a ticket for a
game or an amusement park ride, a discount value such as coupons, a
rebate value, a credit value, or a data unit such as a name, an
account number, a medical record, or a prescription. The unit of
value may be stored in the memory of the portable consumer device.
Alternatively, or in combination, the unit of value may be stored
in a database within the payment processing system.
[0021] Referring to FIG. 1, in general, a transaction includes
participation from different entities of a payment processing
system 100 including an issuer 102, a transaction handler 104 such
as a credit card company, an acquirer 106, a merchant 108, or a
user 110 such as an account holder. The acquirer 106 and the issuer
102 can communicate through the transaction handler 104. The
merchant 108 may be a person or entity that sells goods or
services. Merchants 108 include: a manufacturer, a distributor, a
retailer, a load agent, a drugstore, a grocery store, a gas
station, a hardware store, a supermarket, a boutique, a restaurant,
or a doctor's office. In a business-to-business setting, the user
110 may be a second merchant making a purchase from the merchant
108. The merchant 108 may utilize at least one point of service
(POS) terminal that can communicate with the acquirer 106, the
transaction handler 104, or the issuer 102. Thus, the POS terminal
is in operative communication with the payment processing system
100.
[0022] Typically, a transaction begins with the user 110, such as
an account holder or a cardholder, presenting a portable consumer
device 112 to the merchant 108 in exchange for a good or service.
The portable consumer device 112 may include a payment card, a gift
card, a smartcard, a smart media, a payroll card, a health care
card, a wrist band, a machine readable medium containing account
information, a keychain device such as the SPEEDPASS.RTM.
commercially available from Exxon-Mobil Corporation or a
supermarket discount card, a cellular phone, personal digital
assistant, a pager, a security card, an access card, a wireless
terminal, or a transponder. The portable consumer device 112 may
also include volatile or non-volatile memory to store information
such as the account number or an account holder's name.
[0023] The merchant 108 may use the POS terminal to obtain account
information, such as an account number, from the portable consumer
device 112. The portable consumer device 112 may interface with the
POS terminal using a mechanism including any suitable electrical,
magnetic, or optical interfacing system such as a contactless
system using radio frequency or magnetic field recognition system
or contact system such as a magnetic stripe reader. The POS
terminal sends a transaction authorization request to the issuer
102 of the portable consumer device 112. Alternatively, or in
combination, the portable consumer device 112 may communicate,
directly and/or indirectly, with the issuer 102, the transaction
handler 104, or the acquirer 106 such as through one or more
networks.
[0024] The issuer 102 may authorize the transaction using the
transaction handler 104. The transaction handler 104 may also clear
the transaction. Authorization includes the issuer 102, or the
transaction handler 104 on behalf of the issuer 102, authorizing
the transaction in connection with the issuer's 102 instructions
such as through the use of business rules. The business rules could
include instructions or guidelines from the transaction handler
104, the user 110, the merchant 108, the acquirer 106, the issuer
102, a financial institution, or combinations thereof. The
transaction handler 104 may maintain a log or history of authorized
transactions. Once approved, the merchant 108 will record the
authorization, allowing the user 110 to receive the good or
service.
[0025] The merchant 108 may, at discrete periods, such as the end
of the day, submit a list of authorized transactions to the
acquirer 106 or other components of the payment processing system
100. The transaction handler 104 may compare the submitted
authorized transaction list with its own log of authorized
transactions. If a match is found, the transaction handler 104 may
route authorization transaction amount requests from the
corresponding acquirer 106 to the corresponding issuer 102 involved
in each transaction. Once the acquirer 106 receives the payment of
the authorized transaction amount from the issuer 102, it can
forward the payment to the merchant 108 less any transaction costs,
such as fees. If the transaction involves a debit or pre-paid card,
the acquirer 106 may choose not to wait for the initial payment
prior to paying the merchant 108.
[0026] There may be intermittent steps in this process, some of
which may occur simultaneously. For example, the acquirer 106 can
initiate the clearing and settling process, which can result in
payment to the acquirer 106 for the amount of the transaction. The
acquirer 106 may request from the transaction handler 104 that the
transaction be cleared and settled. Clearing includes the exchange
of financial information between the issuer 102 and the acquirer
106 and settlement includes the exchange of funds. The transaction
handler 104 can provide services in connection with settlement of
the transaction. The settlement of a transaction includes
depositing an amount of the transaction settlement from a
settlement house, such as a settlement bank, which the transaction
handler 104 typically chooses, into a clearinghouse, such as a
clearing bank, that the acquirer 106 typically chooses. The issuer
102 deposits the same from a clearinghouse, such as a clearing
bank, which the issuer 102 typically chooses into the settlement
house. Thus, a typical transaction involves various entities to
request, authorize, and fulfill processing the transaction.
[0027] Referring to FIGS. 2-3, there is illustrated an
implementation of a portable consumer device further represented a
reference numeral 112 in FIG. 1. The portable consumer device 112
of FIGS. 2-3 may include a substrate 302 having an information
bearing region pertaining to the payment processing system 100. For
example, the information bearing region can be a magnetic stripe
306 or a device for receiving, transmitting, or transreceiving a
radio frequency such a Radio Frequency Identification (RFID)
device. As such, substrate 302 can be a payment card having an
information bearing region thereon. The cover 200 may enclose the
portable consumer device 112. Alternatively, a coating may be
applied over the region that can bear information pertaining to a
payment processing system 100. The information pertaining to a
payment processing system 100 may be an account number associated
with the portable consumer device 112, an account holder's name, an
activation state, an expiration date, a verification code such as a
personal identification number, a value associated with an account
within the payment processing system 100, or combinations
thereof.
[0028] The cover 200 has an anti-tampering member that may be
frangible, such as a perforation 202. When the anti-tampering
member is unbroken, the cover 200 hides at least the region that
can bear information substantially preventing interaction of the
region with a POS terminal. For example, cover 200 may hide the
magnetic stripe 306, a number associated with the account, or cover
200 may shield a radio frequency signal of a radio frequency type
portable consumer device 112.
[0029] In some implementations, the breaking of the anti-tampering
member moves a portion of the cover relative to the portable
consumer device 112 so as to expose the region that may be
machine-readable, thus permitting interaction of the region with a
POS terminal. Moreover, the breaking of the anti-tampering member
substantially permanently alters the cover, therefore tampering
with the portable consumer device 112, substantially detectable.
For example, a complete breakage of the perforation 202 results in
separating the cover 200 into multiple unconnected pieces such as a
first piece 300 and a second piece 308. As such, a complete
breakage of the perforation 202 is visibly detectable. The breakage
of the perforation 202 need not separate the cover 200 into
unconnected pieces, for example, the perforation may be broken only
partially so as leave the first piece 300 and the second piece 308
connected. The breaking of the anti-tampering member need not be
visibly detectable to the naked eye. For example, a breakage of the
anti-tampering member may otherwise detected, such as through the
use of an optical, magnetic, or electromagnetic frequency signal
reader.
[0030] The cover 200 may have other configurations. Referring to
FIGS. 4-8, different implementations of a portable consumer device
112 having covers and anti-tampering members are presented. For
example, as an alternative to the perforation 202 seen in FIG. 2, a
perforation in packaging of the portable consumer device 112 may
have a different pattern or a different location than that shown in
FIG. 2; The perforation may be substantially extending fully across
the cover, or the perforation may be configured diagonally as shown
at reference numeral 400 across the cover. The cover may have a
string connection 500, where the string joins multiple pieces of
the cover, and where pulling the string makes it possible to move a
portion 308 of the cover relative to the portable consumer device
112. The perforation 202 or string 500 on the cover may be located
in the circumference 600 of the cover. For example, the cover of
the portable consumer device 112 may be a greeting card 700 having
a sleeve to contain a reloadable card 702, where a string 602 on
the circumference 600 of the packaging of the portable consumer
device 112 is pulled in order to open up the package so as to
expose both an internal surface of the greeting card 700 and the
reloadable card 702.
[0031] In some implementations, the cover for the portable consumer
device 112 may be made of material that can be removed from the
portable consumer device's 112 region that can bear information,
such as by manual abrasion. For example, the material can be
scratched off to reveal there beneath the magnetic stripe 306 or an
account number that has been printed on a payment card.
[0032] A payment card inside the packaging of the portable consumer
device 112 may be attached to packaging. Such an attachment can be
mechanical, chemical, or magnetic. For example, the attachment can
be made by the use of an adhesive substance such as glue or a
temporary adhesive gel placed on one side of a payment card that is
in contact with the packaging of the portable consumer device 112.
Alternatively, a portion of the payment card might be held in
contact with a portion of the packaging of the portable consumer
device 112 by use of a holding means. Here, the holding means could
be a rivet, a tack, a bolt, a hinge, a conventional attachment
device, or combinations thereof.
[0033] In one implementation of a portable consumer device 112 seen
in FIG. 8, a hinge 800 holds a portion of a cover 802 in contact
with a portion of a payment card 804 having a information bearing
region, where both the payment card and its information bearing
regions are shown in phantom. An anti-tampering member seen at
reference numeral 806 is illustrated as having been broken due to
the forceful pivoting of the cover 802 about the hinge 800 so as to
move the payment card outside of cover 802. Alternatively, or in
addition, a frangible member (not shown) may be located within the
center of the hinge 800, which, upon pivoting payment card 804
about hinge 800 for the first time, causes the frangible member to
break and dislodge from within hinge 800 to leave a visible
discernable and permanent alternation of hinge 800. As such, both
the frangible member within hinge 800 (not shown) and the breakable
member seen at 806 can be anti-tampering members that are
permanently altered by pivoting payment card 804 about hinge 800,
thereby making the breakage of the anti-tampering members
substantially visually detectably. Moreover, when the
anti-tampering members are broken, the now exposed information
bearing region on the payment card 804 can interact with the POS
terminal for the payment processing system 100.
[0034] Packaging for the portable consumer device 112 may be made
of any suitable material. For example, the packaging can be made of
paper, plastic, cardboard, cloth, metal, or combination thereof.
The material can be opaque in color or clear. The material can have
an electronic or magnetic signal shielding quality. For example,
the packaging may comprise radio frequency signal shielding. When
the portable consumer device 112 has its shielding removed, the
portable consumer device 112 may then interact with the POS
terminal. While the portable consumer device 112 remains within
this shielding, an electronic or magnetic signal reader will not be
able to change the state of a payment card within the packaging of
the portable consumer device 112.
[0035] The portable consumer device 112 may remain intact within a
first portion 300 of the packaging 200. For example, a prepaid card
may remain within the first portion 300 of the packaging 200
through the use of an adhesive, a grip, or other connection means.
In this manner, if the user 110 gifts the card to a second user,
the first portion 300 of the packaging 200 can also be given to the
second user. The first portion 300 of the packaging 200 may have
information including information about the portable consumer
device 112, the issuer 102 that supports the portable consumer
device 112, the transaction handler 104 that supports the portable
consumer device 112, instructions for changing the state of a
payment card within the packaging of the portable consumer device
112, or other information. The first portion 300 of the packaging
200 can also bear various indicia, such as advertisements and
logos.
[0036] Referring to FIG. 9, a method for utilizing a portable
consumer device 112 begins at step 900. Other implementations can
have more or fewer steps. At step 900, an anti-tampering member
such as the perforation 202 of the cover 200 substantially covering
the portable consumer device 112 is broken. For example, a user
110, such as a customer, may pick up a debit card from a rack
displaying a plurality of covered debit cards at the merchant's 108
store, the merchant 108 being any business that has a normal POS
terminal that is in operative communication with a payment
processing system 100. The user 110 can hand the debit card to the
merchant 108 to purchase the debit card and place a value in an
account associated with the debit card. This purchase can be made,
for example, by using a merchant's checkout system or POS terminal.
The merchant 108 may then break the anti-tampering member of the
portable consumer device 112 by tearing the cover 200 along the
perforation 202. The tearing action then exposes a payment card and
particularly the information bearing region on the payment card.
Alternatively, or in combination, the merchant 108 may rotate the
cover 802 about the hinge 800 so as to break one or more
anti-tampering members, thereby and exposing the information
bearing region on the payment card.
[0037] At step 902, the merchant interacts the exposed information
bearing region of the portable consumer device 112 with the
merchant's POS terminal that is in communication with the payment
processing system 100. For example, the merchant 108 may swipe the
magnetic stripe 306 of the payment card in a magnetic stripe
reader, or may pass a transponder located within an information
bearing region on substrate 302 so as to be proximal a radio
frequency reader to thereby detect a signal bearing information
from the transponder, or the merchant may optically scan a bar code
on the substrate 303 with an optical reader. Other General Packet
Radio Service techniques for communicating data from the
information bearing region of substrate 302 to a POS terminal are
also contemplated and deemed various implementations of the present
invention.
[0038] Once the region of the portable consumer device 112 is
interacted with the POS terminal, the state of an account
associated with a payment processing system 100 can be changed,
where that account can correspond to information contained in the
information bearing region of substrate 302 or as seen within
reference numeral 804.
[0039] The merchant 108 may use the POS terminal to compose a
transmission to the payment processing system 100, the transmission
including information obtained from the interaction of the POS
terminal with the information bearing region within the portable
consumer device 112. For example, the merchant 108 may send a
transaction authorization request to the issuer 102 of the portable
consumer device 112 using the POS terminal. The merchant 108 can
receive at the POS terminal an indication whether the issuer 102 of
the portable consumer device 112 has authorized or not authorized
the transaction authorization request. If the issuer 102 of the
portable consumer device 112 has authorized the transaction
authorization request, the merchant 108 can then change the state
of the account by activating the account, loading the account with
a value, reloading the account with a value, transitioning a value
associated with the account, decreasing a value associated with the
account, increasing a value associated with the account, or
transferring a value associated with the account.
[0040] In another implementation, a merchant checkout system
includes a POS terminal in communication with a payment processing
system and a rack displaying portable consumer devices 112 each
including a substrate having an information bearing region
pertaining to a payment processing system, an anti-tampering
member, and packaging substantially covering the information
bearing region. When the anti-tampering member is unbroken, the
packaging of the consumer portable device will substantially
prevent interaction of the information bearing region of the
consumer portable device with a POS terminal. When the
anti-tampering member is broken, the packaging of the consumer
portable device will not prevent interaction of the information
bearing region of the consumer portable device with the POS
terminal. Rather, the breaking of the anti-tampering member permits
interaction of the information bearing region with the POS
terminal.
[0041] The merchant checkout may also include a user passage way,
such as a consumer passage way, joining the rack to the POS
terminal. A consumer can then take one of the consumer portable
devices off of the rack and transport it to the POS terminal. Once
at the POS, the merchant can alter an anti-tampering of the
consumer portable device so as to permit an interaction of an
information bearing region of the portable consumer device 112 with
the POS terminal. The POS terminal can then form a transmission
addressed to the payment processing system, where the transmission
can include information obtained from the interaction of the POS
terminal with the information bearing region of the portable
consumer device 112.
[0042] The merchant 108 may receive the transaction history of the
portable consumer device 112 from the payment processing system.
For example, each portable consumer device 112 may have a serial
number. A merchant 108 may receive a batch of sequential serial
numbers to sell in the merchant's 108 store. The payment processing
system 100 may keep track of portable consumer devices 112 that
were activated at a merchant 108 location. When the sequence of
activated portable consumer devices 112 is not consistent with the
sequence of the merchant's 108 batch of sequential serial numbers,
a circumstance of fraud may have occurred. The payment processing
system 100 may send the merchant 108 a message or a report
regarding the inconsistent serial numbers from the batch that were
not activated at the store.
[0043] The payment processing system 100 may maintain a transaction
history for the portable consumer devices 112 that were handled by
various merchants 108, for example, in a database on a server. The
transaction history may include information such as: an indication
of the change in state of an account corresponding to a consumer
portable device, such as if the account has been activated, a value
change that occurred with a change in state of the account, the
date of a change in state, the location where the change in state
was instigated, and an indication that there has been a suspected
occurrence of fraud associated with the account.
[0044] By way of example and not by way of limitation, consider a
doctor's office setting. In such a setting, a patient may obtain a
portable consumer device 112 from the doctor's front desk and hand
it to the doctor's agent. The doctor's agent may break an
anti-tampering member of the portable consumer device 112 so as to
expose the magnetic stripe 306 thereon. The doctor's agent may
swipe the magnetic stripe 306 in the doctor's POS terminal having a
magnetic stripe reader and being in communication with the payment
processing system. The POS terminal may change the state of the
account associated with the portable consumer device 112 by loading
a data unit having to do with the patient's prescription that has
been associate with the account. The doctor's agent may then give
the opened portable consumer device 112 to the patient to take to
the patient's pharmacy. The same portable consumer device 112 may
be used to pay for services rendered to the patient by the doctor's
practice. For example, the patient may give cash or a check to the
doctor's agent who in turn loads the portable consumer device 112
with a monetary value equal to the amount of the patient's tendered
cash or check that are received along with the patient's
prescription. The doctor's agent may subtract the amount of the
doctor's bill for services rendered to the patient from the value
on the account that is associated with the portable consumer device
112, or the subtraction may occur prior to loading the portable
consumer device 112.
[0045] In an alternative setting, the user 110 may dine at a
restaurant. The user 110 may ask the waiter for the portable
consumer device 112. The portable consumer device 112 may be a
co-branded payment card that has a loyalty program associated with
it. For example, the loyalty program may allow the user 110, who
may be a restaurant patron, to use the payment card to get a free
meal the next time the restaurant patron comes in to dine at the
restaurant. The restaurant patron may give cash to the waiter to
load onto the payment card, so that the wait staff can then deduct
the dining bill from the now value loaded payment card. The waiter
may take the portable consumer device 112 to the POS terminal,
break the anti-tampering member on the portable consumer device 112
so as to expose the information bearing region on the payment card,
load the payment card by interacting the information bearing region
with a POS terminal while also deducting the dining bill, and then
return the now exposed payment card to the restaurant patron. The
next time the restaurant patron dines at the restaurant, the
restaurant patron may use the payment card as a credit for a free
meal as part of the loyalty program associated with the portable
consumer device 112 and the payment card therein.
[0046] Although the invention has been discussed with respect to
specific embodiments thereof, these embodiments are merely
illustrative, and not restrictive, of the invention. For example,
the present invention can be utilized with any authentication
system. Thus, the scope of the invention is to be determined solely
by the claims.
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